Topical acetazolamide and methazolamide delivered by contact lenses
Z. Friedman, R. C. Allen and S. M. Raph
Topical acetazolamide has been previously found to be ineffective in
lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). Using high-water-content soft contact
lenses (Sauflon PW) soaked in acetazolamide, we observed a statistically
significant ipsilateral decrease in IOP of 6.3 +/- 0.4 mm Hg in the treated
eyes of albino rabbits. The duration of the effect was up to 7 1/2 hours.
Methazolamide-soaked contact lenses produced a maximum unilateral reduction
of similar magnitude but shorter duration. Both serum and aqueous humor
analyses for pH, carbon dioxide pressure, bicarbonate, and base excess
indicate that acetazolamide delivered by soft contact lenses is able to
penetrate the cornea in sufficient concentration to lower IOP by a local
mechanism in rabbits without significant systemic absorption.
